slides: Family Matters: 12 October Crafts

Friday, October 12, 2012

Anisa Raoof, GoLocalProv Family Expert

You do not have to be an uber crafter to get in the Halloween mood. There are plenty of ways to get crafty with kids—some ideas require a bit more planning or set up (making shadow puppets) and other projects (drawing on pumpkins with markers) are perfect if you are short on time or would rather not make a mess.

To make crafting fun for children, it’s helpful to remember that they often enjoy the process more then then the end result. You may want to choose projects for the experience. For example if you make a pumpkin mosaic the kids may prefer shredding different shades of orange paper more than where they glue them. If you are looking for a finished product, prep things in advance depending on the child’s age or skill level and make your own craft alongside them or work on your project while the kids are sleeping or off at school.

Have a spooky October with this round-up of cool, crafty Halloween projects.

Prev Next

Felt Bats

Make a flock of bats with a little bit of felt and cast a trompe l'oeil bit of spooky fun on your doorstep.

Get all the directions from the wonderful blog, Living It at Home.

Prev Next

Yarn Spider

It's the one time of year that we all love spiders. Make this fun guy with just a bit of glue, a ball of yard, and some googly eyes.

Get all the steps and more fun at Kaboose.

Prev Next

Stained Glass Pumpkin

I like this creative way to add color to the window, catch the light, and still enjoy the Halloween pumpkin theme.

For more about how to make these Stained Glass Pumpkin Sun Catchers with great step-by-step photos, check out our big earth.

Prev Next

Paper Bats

Bats! Along with arched-back cats, they are probably the most seasonal silhouette there is. I love this new twist on the cut-paper snowflake technique to summon up those Halloween flyers.

For instructions and downloadable templates, hop to Kidoinfo.

Prev Next

Yarn Apples + Pumpkins

These are just fantastic fun for the kidos, but you can produce these as well as great decorative items for tables and mantles.

Whether you use red yard for apples or orange yarn for pumpkins, they're easy and really fun. Get step-by-step photos at Make and Takes, here.

Prev Next

Pumpkin Mosaic

This is the perfect October project for repurposing old magazines, catalogs and last year's greeting cards. If you've been in a painting craze and have swatches, those are great to use as well.

Check out the inspiration for the Pumpkin Mosaic at Itty Bitty Love.

Prev Next

Book Page Pumpkin

If you've got a pile of books that you're getting ready to donate, grab one and create this fun, 3D pumpkin for your hall table.

For the whole tutorial, go to Creations by Kara.

Prev Next

Halloween Flags

This is a fun and easy project that can take under an hour (for older crafting kidos). It also would make a great decoration for any Halloween party you're throwing.

For directions and links to templates, go to Squirrel Acorns.

Prev Next

Shadow Puppets

I'm so inspired by these gorgeous shadow puppets at Angry Chicken. Like me, use these for ideas and inspiration, then make your own out of black cardstock paper and attach to chopsticks or dowels.

Prev Next

Toy Scenes

There's no easier and less expensive project that one that uses the toys and decorations your family already owns. Have the kidos make new Halloween scenes using what's already at hand.

For more ideas, check out Pumpkin Fun on Kidoinfo.

Prev Next

Pumpkin Lantern

These pumpkin lanterns are great for all kinds of settings, whether on the mantel for the season, on the back porch for chilly evenings, or clustered on the dining room table. They also make great Halloween party favors.

Get crafting with these directions from Woman’s Day.